How To Waterproof A Shower - RedGard vs AquaDefense

Рет қаралды 190,605

Күн бұрын

In this video, I will show you how to waterproof a shower. Also, I compare and contrast two popular waterproofing products: RedGard vs AquaDefense.
Both of these products are great for waterproofing showers, but there are some key differences that you need to be aware of before making a decision. Watch the video to learn more!
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AquaDefense 5 gal. amzn.to/3OJyfs5
Roller Covers amzn.to/3b1Iw4U
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Intro 00:00
RedGard VS AquaDefense 00:12
How to apply waterproofing 02:16
Outro 07:50
Disclaimer: This video is all based on my personal opinion and is for entertainment purposes ONLY. I am not a financial advisor, CPA, attorney, tax advisor, electrician, plumber, housing contractor, designer, or any type of profession to give advice. I am just a consumer sharing my experiences and research. If you do need knowledge for those types of things, I will advise you to seek help for those professionals.

Пікірлер: 130

@whataboutradagast 3 ай бұрын

This guy is the GOAT. Thank you for making these videos. I have saved thousands of dollars by learning how to do the work myself from this channel.

@totheknee Жыл бұрын

I used concrete primer (maybe called concrete bonding adhesive in the US?) before waterproofing. It seals the concrete first and leaves a nice surface for the waterproofing membrane.

@thepelch7285 Жыл бұрын

I'm a small GC from Canada. I am a site super for commercial jobs, and have a small crew that does residential work. Great channel. I'm doing my bathroom right now. Debating using one of these systems.

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

Great to hear I have a GC watching my channel! In my opinion either system is fine they are so similar it really doesn’t matter to me which one I use. If color is important to you so you can see things easier that might be a reason to go with one or the other. Thanks for watching!

@josepheick8572 5 ай бұрын

I have used both products ! And i prefer Aqua Defense. Low odor and easier clean up. ENJOYED YOUR DEMO👍 0:15

@bradh9800 Жыл бұрын

I actually used a foam slope and painted aqua defense directly onto the foam shower pan, bench, curb and walls. No membrane, and it passed a flood test.

@uy-scutipacific6398 Жыл бұрын

I really appreciate you help I literally flipped a whole house with the help of your vidoes from build an addition to adding floor joists beams to shower waterproofing and plumping and alot more. It was my 1st time working on a whole house to flip got it down to the studs took the floor out Calculated the crawlspace and put everything back new. Again love ur Chanel thanks alot

@dialac1 Жыл бұрын

How long did it take you to do the whole house?

@ELECTR0HERMIT 2 ай бұрын

Thank you for mentioning you can tile over the water proofing membrane applied by roller, many videos assume the viewer (newb) knows this already! newbs know nothing

@davidharrison3074 Жыл бұрын

The nice thing about using this product besides water proofing, it does help applying tile and the mastic or thinset to not cure so quickly. Great notations on the safety as well especially wearing older clothes. Great job.

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

That’s a great point David! You are so right about that. Whenever I install floor tile it will set up much quicker because the cement board pulls the moisture right out of it. The waterproofing definitely keeps the barrier there so the moisture doesn’t get pulled so quick. Yes safety is always very important to me. Thanks for stopping by again!

@davidharrison3074 Жыл бұрын

@@TheExcellentLaborer quick question. Does the waterproofing material work over hardibacker as well? Be safe and have a wonderful week. 👍🏻

@larrypilgrim12 Жыл бұрын

@@davidharrison3074 you can use regular sheetrock

@wizardmaster6639 Жыл бұрын

it has been over a year since I did all my bathroom except the bathtub walls - bought the "green" drywall, now need to get the 1/4 hardybacks, and water proof and install.. all by Monday while I have a full-time job - probably won't be done. But there is wood behind my house.

@harbinguy1 4 ай бұрын

Enjoy watching your videos!!! there is another one from the same company called Mapelastic CI which is much cheaper vs Mapelastic aquadefence. I don't know it can replace the aquadefence for shower waterproofing?

@RR-ce9tu Жыл бұрын

amazing videos!

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

Thank you. Good luck with your projects!

@FfejerThims Жыл бұрын

Nice, thank you. I am renovating my bathroom because of water rot in the subfloor and some studs and I can not pay for the pros. So, your videos help so much, thank you! I installed GoBoard with sealant (because it's lightweight and it's just me). I am planning on using the Aquadefense. Question: is it ok to paint on some of the coated areas that will not have tile? If so, what type of paint would you recommend? I'm a rookie, so God Bless whoever buys the house and renovates after me. I left a bottle of rum, some extra screws, and a level behind one of the walls as an apology.

@bradh9800 Жыл бұрын

I just finished a renovation using Aqua Defense. You definitely want to keep the waterproofing behind the tile.

@brandenfwee 6 ай бұрын

I’m in the same boat. I was thinking about using the more rubberized one. My shower is on an exterior wall and my thinking is the rubbery layer will expand and contract with the wood as the temp changes. 🤷‍♂️

@chrismacleod9326 6 ай бұрын

⁠@@brandenfweeif your walls are insulated with vapour barrier why would you be worrying about contraction and expansion regardless of the waterproofing method used?

@brandenfwee 6 ай бұрын

@@chrismacleod9326because the rest of my house expands and contracts between seasons.

@andrewallen8764 6 ай бұрын

Will you do a video on how to do a mortar mud-based shower pan?

@b3arwithm3 10 ай бұрын

Do we need to overlap aqua defense with thw bottom pan? How the water on the wall gets in the pan?

@pete7326 Жыл бұрын

I love the videos and expert instructions

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

Thank you Pete. I enjoy helping people and making the videos. Thank you for watching as well!

@kris-8596 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for breaking down the steps into separate videos!!! Love this method!

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

No problem! I like to try to make my how to video is very comprehensive. Thanks for watching!

@KurtMGibbs Жыл бұрын

I've used the Aquadefense, it's a fantastic product.

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

Good to hear Kurt. I agree with you I love it too!

@blt981 Жыл бұрын

Great job, can you do video on dealing with wet fog and dryrot WHDN you tear out the shower pan…I’m planning to do bath remodel I’m in Calif older home with cast iron piping.

@TSPhotoAtlanta 11 ай бұрын

Plumbing tip: replace any steel or iron SUPPLY piping that you expose or can access in a remodel with copper or even PEX (don’t bury sharkbite connectors in a wall, use another type) It’s easy to do and much less expensive while you can get to it than having to come back later! Good condition DRAIN/WASTE/VENT plumbing in cast iron ought to continue to work for decades if it was well installed and the joints are good. Make sure it’s not partially blocked.

@jesselaporte7184 3 ай бұрын

As I’m starting from the beginning appears to be better to get the pan in first, and then have the board overlap the flange on the pan?

@amosfeldman9454 Жыл бұрын

Most other videos that I've seen for waterproofing a shower, they use those thin sheets of fabric anywhere where there is a corner or edge or crease, etc. Surprise to see it wasn't applied in this video. They specifically changed the color of the aquadefence product to a light blue so that the fabric could show through it. also, it is not recommended to apply a "thick" application of the product, although you don't want it too thin either. In Mapei's video they specify it should end up being about the thickness of a credit card once applied (I haven't yet measured the thickness of the credit card) I think this video makes a good point of not applying a layer of product that is overly thin, but at the same time you do not want the product to be ticker than the thickness of a credit card, because it may not dry sufficiently between first and second coat and also may result in cracking...

@chrismacleod9326 6 ай бұрын

Have you put the fabric on before? I have and a rolled on membrane is way easier, cleaner and just as effective. If you have drywall up, the fabric is the way to go. Even then, back in the day I suppose redguard over drywall was also a common occurrence.

@pielou10 2 ай бұрын

I’m planning on redoing a small shower, would this work with a Kerdi shower tray/pan? How would the transition from red guard/aqua defense work?

@paulstephens9274 2 ай бұрын

What is best construction adhesive to utilize attaching QVEDecors composite shower panels. Their instructions state using green board with a non product specific construction adhesive along with provided double sided tape. . I got Locktite tub&Surround and LiquidNails Premium and using GE silicone around perimeter. Thanks for advice

@DZ-hu2sv 6 ай бұрын

So can you use red guard in place of a shower pan if its a curbless shower

@hiddenacettv4166 2 ай бұрын

Do you have to install a fiberglass waterproof band to all the joints?

@MrPolamaluinyourface Жыл бұрын

Between coats You should put the paint pan into a trash bag to keep it from skimming over.

@andrewallen8764 6 ай бұрын

Do you mean if I make my pan put of mortar all I have to do to waterproof it is waterproof with aqua defense in this case?

@maryballon 7 ай бұрын

i used aquadefense 3 years ago and it worked perfectly. i had 1/2 a gallon left over and it was the same as when i opened it, went on perfect but i had to buy another gallon to finish the job. this latest gallon was a lot lighter in color and it was really runny but went on and hardened but had to use more of it do to it being so thin. i had 3/4 of a gallon left and 2 months after i went to use it again it was as hard as a rock . can you tell me if this was suppose to happen because it didnt with the last one. im finding since the pandemic everything has doubled in price and the quality of everthing has gone to hell.

@subject2change313 8 ай бұрын

Laticrete waterproofing membrane is one that I would say I recommend. It's not carried by the big box stores you have to purchase from tile distributors another stores like such.

@citrinevelvetine7541 Жыл бұрын

Great videos! I’m hoping to convert an entire concrete area into a walk in shower. How do you go about waterproofing for tiles?

@amosfeldman9454 Жыл бұрын

You can use aquadefence under tile... it's what it is meant for.

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

@@amosfeldman9454durock, redguard, than thinset. Followed by epoxy grout

@despinabryant5073 Ай бұрын

My son in law is redoing his bathroom. He wasn't very careful and got many spots of the Mapelastic AquaDefense in the tub. I tried helping him today, and I scrubbed and scrubbed but the spots wouldn't come off! Any advice please? Thank you.

@patrickmckowen2999 5 ай бұрын

I did 2 showers that will never leak - i put the Schluter membrane over moisture resistant drywall and plywood floor and than Red Guard over that before Schluter shower pans and than tiling. A bit overkill but I was redoing showers that were leaking after ten years and I did not want any comebacks. Using drywall felt just as solid as cement board once you get the tiles on. Not sure why installers are still using cement board? Im doing my master bath -- might try the AquaDefense this time. Cheers

@crisperez8669 3 ай бұрын

this sounds like something I would love to try. I have to do 3 showers so maybe ill do this way, thank you!

@christopherboyd7177 Жыл бұрын

Just finished the tiling of my shower today... used aquadefense but I used a throwaway chip brush

@LeanHVAC Жыл бұрын

Whats the best MAPEI mortar to use after using aquadefense for 12x24 porcelain tiles?

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

Hope you got an answer but MAPEI has a high profile thinset for big tiles

@jamescolton1085 2 ай бұрын

Have you considered or used 100% silicone roof paint as a liquid membrane substrate? Why would you select or avoid it?

@prod.cruzomg1782 11 ай бұрын

Can i put aquadefense on redgard?

@ryancormack6934 7 ай бұрын

I heard aquadefence is much less smelly than redgard, is this accurate?

@richardmartin9912 Жыл бұрын

How long does the mortar need to set before applying the sealant? (it still looks dark around the shower pan)

@TSPhotoAtlanta 11 ай бұрын

I bet that info would be in the product sheet from the mfr. Good question though

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

Mortar not being dry and than having a water proof barrier applied on top can trap any remaining moisture in mortar between the barrier and your Hardin backer. I’d recommend letting it dry 100%

@BW-xz6ol Жыл бұрын

Bro I used red guard once and you want to have some great ventilation and probably a respirator if you have even moderate space

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for the comment! Just about to start and grabbed my mask and a fan!

@totheknee Жыл бұрын

Seam tape in the corners?

@jinkzy5 9 ай бұрын

I have a shower/ tub that I want to put sticker tiles over the wall, will using the aquadefense first before putting the sticker tiles be sufficient? ( the wall is already drywall and painted )

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

Hope it worked well. I would usually recommend not having drywall but rather a cement board behind and waters exposed to running water

@jamesshannon88 Жыл бұрын

Did you sand the backer board before waterproofing?

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

I did not, I just made sure it was clean. I hope that helps!

@jessicadenike5245 Жыл бұрын

I know this is frowned upon, but I do have green board in my shower, I am going for a seamless shower look....when I was taping my greenboard I used red dot joint compound and green dot 20 minute for packing....that being said, can you redgaurd over the joint compound and 20 minute?

@joshuawilson1989 Жыл бұрын

I use hydroban every time tried and true with pan liner

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

Excellent Joshua! I have not use that product I will have to do more research on it. Thanks for your input!

@AK-ky3ou 7 ай бұрын

It comes out much nicer if you trowel it on.

@timbrown500 Жыл бұрын

So you build spec homes? Do you have to live in them for one year with no contractors license in order to sell? Or do you just build and sell?

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

Hey Tim! I do both. I build spec houses on property own. Then sell for a profit. I also will build houses and live in them and sell them. Hope that helps!

@timbrown500 Жыл бұрын

I’m building my own house now and I’m almost done. I drive semi truck and would love to get off the road and be home more. Having trouble if I build a house as home owner build then I believe I have to stay in it for one year before I can sell is this the same in your area or how do you get around the one year wait?

@ridingvenus Жыл бұрын

Ok/good to use one of these for waterproofing a cement board floor?

@paulmaxwell8851 2 ай бұрын

Yes. Absolutely.

@ridingvenus 2 ай бұрын

@@paulmaxwell8851 did you actually do it and get acceptable results?

@fistoroboto9539 11 ай бұрын

I feel like adding the mortar at the bottom between the pan and the cement board is not good. It would wick up moisture no?

@indianapolisindiana7856 3 ай бұрын

The manufacturer instructions for my shower pan say to use silicone in the gap between the pan and the wall board.

@fistoroboto9539 3 ай бұрын

@@indianapolisindiana7856 Same for mine and that is what I did.

@WesterlyPrune99 7 ай бұрын

Do you have to patch the screws because I didn’t 😅

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

Great question. I did patch mine out of habit from drywall and realized I missed a row above the shower head now I’ve got the same question. Do I need to remix mortar just for those 🤦🏽‍♂️

@jinxinator30 Жыл бұрын

Red Gard is NOT recommended for mortar shower pans due to wicking restrictions, and trapping moisture in between both membranes

@michaelmicalizzi5222 11 ай бұрын

RedGard is recommended

@bluelude2001 Жыл бұрын

Have you ever used hardie board with hydrodefense? (It's the redish color board)

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

I personally have not. Is that your favorite way?

@bluelude2001 Жыл бұрын

@@TheExcellentLaborer first time doing a shower, in my house. It's what Im using.

@bluelude2001 Жыл бұрын

@@TheExcellentLaborer well... the drywallers mudded and taped my shower boards with drywall mud and paper tape. Off to a great start =] The boards clean up nicely though with a wet sponge!

@spotonndiyvids6065 Жыл бұрын

I just used the hardie backer hydro defense on my walk in shower up to 8ft and I siliconed all seams then applied redguard ontop of the whole thing as a piece in mind it came out amazing!

@chrismacleod9326 6 ай бұрын

@@bluelude2001Roll on membrane will work still even on drywall. Thinset, tile and grout….If it’s tiled properly how much water penetration would you actually expect? By the time the tile gets removed in 20 years who cares if there’s a tiny bit of water damage on the drywall anyway….

@mmroofs Жыл бұрын

Have you tried using Hot tar?

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

I have not. I think that was more common before the modern day products came about. Is that what you use?

@mmroofs Жыл бұрын

@@TheExcellentLaborer I used to intall them- They'll last a long time if done correct. The tile guys in calif really like them. But It's a lot of work... :-) its a rare trade nowadays for sure

@Jake.Gentry 11 ай бұрын

So which one would you recommend as the best one overall?

@TheExcellentLaborer 11 ай бұрын

After using both, I would honestly come down to what color you like to be honest with you. From what I can tell, they both seem to work great. I hope that helps!

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

If you have a 3 year old daughter I recommend red guard she’ll love the pink walls turning red haha

@folerx Жыл бұрын

you wont use primer before waterproofing?

@chrismacleod9326 6 ай бұрын

Did you watch the video?

@cathyluo1671 2 ай бұрын

Do you need to put tile on top?

@paulmaxwell8851 2 ай бұрын

Yes, The liquid waterproof membrane is the last step before tiling, preferably with modified thin-set mortar.

@Joe.Mourato Ай бұрын

water proofing Perma base? Maybe overkill since it's not a requirement by the manufacturer

@21gonza21 Жыл бұрын

No fabric on corners?

@Blingdung Жыл бұрын

Do 3 coats in corners and epoxy grout

@stevetower4066 Жыл бұрын

Per Mapei.. you MUST use a fiberglass reinforcing fabric in conjunction with Aquadefense at all corners and joints.

@bentaylor6891 Жыл бұрын

Per Mapei product application instructions reinfocing fabric and Mapeband are OPTIONAL

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

@@Blingdungwhat epoxy grout? Been searching for one and not sure I’m finding the right stuff. Does MAPIE make an epoxy grout?

@Blingdung 6 ай бұрын

@@LogosFarm yeah it’s called flexcolour. Kind of annoying to put on but is really water resistant and won’t change colour. Just make sure you stir it well before using it the liquid separates a bit when it sits in the warehouse

@kevincurley5065 Жыл бұрын

The way you say coat 😳

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

I have an accent 😂😳

@philcheesesteak7876 Ай бұрын

RedGard

@terebrate 3 ай бұрын

You showed how to "Waterproof" shower walls. Why no mention of the most important area; the floor and drain?

@Patrick-dr1xb Жыл бұрын

can i paint instead of using tile?

@dougferro2990 9 ай бұрын

I have been told that you dont have to waterproof cement board. Is that true?

@hughjass1835 9 ай бұрын

Yep. If you build a shower correctly this waterproofing is totally unnecessary

@sleepycat6120 9 ай бұрын

Yea i was just reading the Durorock website and says waterproofing is only added protection, shit i left out a piece of cement board out in the rain, next day they were fine no damage, so in a shower that has mortar edges and corners, plus ceramic, grouting and silicon bottom. I highly doubt waterproofing is needed.

@paulmaxwell8851 2 ай бұрын

Try placing a few tablespoons of water on a scrap of HardiBacker, Durock or PermaBase. Within minutes it will start to soak in, and eventually you'll see that the back of the sheet is wet. These cement products are tough and solid, but not waterproof. I'm building a bathtub surround right now. I think it's safe to say that a liquid waterproofing membrane is optional. But if I were building a shower, I would never, ever skip this step. Grout will not remain water resistant for long, and although wet backer board can easily survive daily wettings, the studs and insulation behind cannot. Don't be tempted to omit the liquid membrane!

@roughboygarage1475 Жыл бұрын

After building hundreds of showers over the years, I still prefer the Shluter Kerdi system with a mud bed. I've had bonding issues with the roll on waterproofing that had to be resolved before I could tile. That is a huge mess to get into. I also recommend the mud bed and Shluter drain due to having so many of the plastic pans crack (usually around the drain area) and ruin the subfloor underneath.

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

If I’m using a bath tub will red guard be ok? I couldn’t afford the $900 Kerdi board for the surround unfortunately and went with harder backer.

@roughboygarage1475 7 ай бұрын

I prefer to use the kerdi mat over hardi backer. Red guard can work. But hardi backer must be completely clean and dust free. I would vacuum it off real good then take a damp sponge and wipe off all the dust wringing sponge out frequently. Let hardi backer dry out completely (24hrs or so) then apply red guard as recommended. After drying check real good for any loose red guard. If there are any bubbles gently cut around them getting all loose red guard off then reapply red guard to that area.

@LogosFarm 7 ай бұрын

@@roughboygarage1475 thank you for the response and advice. I will make sure to clean it and vacuum it very well. I had hoped for Kerdi but it ended up being out of budget in this one.

@GrishTech Жыл бұрын

One comment about the redguard. Smelly. Have good air circulation otherwise you will get irritation.

@TheExcellentLaborer Жыл бұрын

Hey David! I noticed both can smell strong if there is no air movement. Thanks for the comment!

@aronicalreid9608 Жыл бұрын

The aqua defense is crack isolation to fun facts.

@brett420favre Жыл бұрын

You SHOULD NOT apply a waterproofing barrier (aquadefense or redgard) to the shower floor if you have a mortar base and pan liner already in place. The pan liner already does the job - adding waterproofing on top of the mortar would just create a moisture issue between your pan liner and your newly applied waterproofing. Thats what i've read anyway

@jheiny1231 Жыл бұрын

Your mortar bed needs to be 100 percent dry before adding water proofing. I typically wait 3 days . No issue.

@justseefitness 3 ай бұрын

Don’t forget to pre slope

@C2IT678 8 күн бұрын

Its not just to waterproof its also for crack prvention

@losebjughashvili8465 Жыл бұрын

3:38….see all that work he’s doing ? That will exacerbate your 60 year old shoulder problems? Tell you how to do it. And not beat yourself up. Get a box of rubber gloves and one of those 99 cent chip brushes. Open the can, and grab a handful of that stuff in each hand. And just smear it on the wall. Work top to bottom, use a stool , so you don’t have to stoop. To pick up sealant, or reach too high. Do about a third of the shower….all top. Smear it all out evenly….it’s no like paint. It’s really thick. Take your gloves off and use your chip brush to texture and smooth it out more. Do the same for the middle and bottom. You can do the whole damn thing in less than an hour.

@keith8359 Жыл бұрын

Tiny brush and tiny roller 3/8" ...yikes

@hughjass1835 9 ай бұрын

Completely unnecessary. Use a vinyl liner, mud and tape your seams fill your grout joints completely, caulk your corners and around the pan and drain, caulk the valve trim and under the curb sill. It is kind of nice being able to charge an extra $350 to Redgard a shower though 😂👌

@scottrittenhouse4811 7 ай бұрын

I hope people understand that cement board and grout is NOT waterproof. Water seeps through them. Cement board can pull apart in layers if it gets wet enough times. I really hope you are not building showers for people for a living and not waterproofing.

@bolobeatz2481 5 ай бұрын

Throw some caulk in the seams and call it a day no one is buying all this unnecessary material that is super expensive and no home owner even knows about this